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theguardian.com
US job creation smashes forecasts in May, fuelling rate hike bets; ‘no jet fuel shortage in Europe’ – business live
Rolling coverage of the latest economic and financial newsUK house prices fall for third successive month amid Iran war uncertaintyUK shoppers return to high street as warm weather brings respite from shadow of warAfter rising in recent months, global food commodity prices stabilised in May.The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation has reported that its Food Price Index was stable last month, showing that the cost of a basket of food commodities dipped by 0.2% in May. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Hospitality jobs boom as US prepares for World Cup
It is the third month in a row US jobs figures have beaten expectations.
theguardian.com
‘It’s not inevitable’: Asda chair on how his turnaround will hold off Aldi threat
Allan Leighton on government help, talk of a reheated merger with Sainsbury’s – and the vital role of bananas“It’s not bloody inevitable,” that Asda will be overtaken by Aldi as the UK’s third biggest supermarket, Allan Leighton roars as the veteran retail boss insists his turnaround of the ailing business is on track.Leighton, the chair of Asda, who returned to lead the business in November 2024 after a 20-year absence, is attempting to defy the critics and revive Asda for the second time in his career. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Outrage in Albania over Kushner-Trump $1.6bn luxury resort plan – The Latest
Thousands have protested in the Albanian capital, Tirana, this week against a planned luxury resort backed by Donald Trump’s daughter Ivanka and his son-in-law Jared Kushner.Groundwork has begun on the $1.6bn complex in an area long seen as one of the Mediterranean’s most environmentally sensitive, containing 200 species of birds including flamingos and Dalmatian pelicans.After builders began erecting a concrete-based, barbed wire-topped fence around the site, alarm turned to public outrage at the environmental damage and lack of political transparency around the deal.Lucy Hough speaks to US live news editor Chris Michael – watch on YouTube Continue reading...
theguardian.com
More than a quarter of UK musicians lost all EU work since 2021, report finds
Average tour earnings down 45%, with nearly three-fifths of musicians saying touring in Europe is no longer viableMore than a quarter of British musicians have lost all their work in the European Union since 2021, according to new research.The report by European Movement UK, a cross-party campaign group advocating closer UK-EU relations, found that nearly half of British musicians had experienced a reduced amount of work in the EU since 2021, while more than a quarter had stopped working there altogether. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Trump lawyers refuse to reveal financial information to BBC in defamation case
Request for evidence to support claims of reputational and financial harm from Panorama documentary dismissed as ‘fishing expedition’Donald Trump’s legal team has rejected a request by the BBC to hand over financial information as part of his $10bn defamation case against the broadcaster.The US president’s lawyers accused the BBC of a “fishing expedition”, according to court filings, after the broadcaster’s representatives asked for details to get evidence on Trump’s claims he suffered reputational and financial damage because of a Panorama documentary centred on the US Capitol riots. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
What National Audit Office report reveals about royals’ property affairs
King footing bill for Beatrice and Eugenie, and Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh subletting among findingsA report that revealed Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor received undisclosed private income from subletting three cottages on his Royal Lodge estate in Windsor while paying a peppercorn rent to the crown estate also shines a spotlight on the property arrangements of other members of the royal family.The National Audit Office findings include the revelation that King Charles foots the bill for Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie’s accommodation in royal palaces, despite both being “non-working royals” (in that they don’t carry out royal duties), and that the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh also benefited from subletting their crown estate property. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
British Heart Foundation to close 150 charity shops as costs rise
Shoppers turning to online options also affects BHF, which has carried out review of retail armThe British Heart Foundation is to close about 150 shops and cut jobs, as rising costs and the shift to online shopping makes about a quarter of the charity’s high street locations commercially unsustainable.The charity carried out a review of its retail arm, which employs almost 3,700 staff, after net profit across its 640 UK stores plunged from £18.8m in 2024 to £3.6m in the year to 31 March 2025. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Is there an AI stock market bubble, and is it ready to burst?
Despite the Iran war, inflation and debt fears, US markets keep hitting record highs, fueled largely by AI. BBC's Samira Hussain looks into whether that bubble will burst.
theguardian.com
‘Oyster card for the north’ could save commuters £276 a year, thinktank says
Proponents say scheme could generate up to £2.7bn in five years by making travel around north of England easier A proposed travel card for northern England modelled on London’s Oyster system could save commuters up to £276 a year, data shows.Users would tap in and out across different transport networks and fares would be automatically capped at the cheapest available rate. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
How a shortage of gas, engine oil and spare parts is grinding Gaza to a halt
With food and medicine already scarce, emergency services, bakeries and water supplies are increasingly being pushed to the brinkPalestinians in Gaza already grappling with limited supplies of food and medicine face new threats to their day-to-day existence: shortages of engine oil, spare parts and gas. The knock-on effects are impacting everything from bread production to water supplies and emergency response efforts, producing one fresh crisis after another.Over the weekend, the main hospital in central Gaza warned of an imminent health disaster as its electrical generators failed. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Who can buy shares in Elon Musk's SpaceX?
From next week individual investors can take a stake in Musk's rockets-to-AI company.
theguardian.com
William Hill owner agrees £243m takeover by Greek casino and lottery firm
Evoke had been in talks for two months with Bally’s Intralot, which has extensive international operationsThe owner of William Hill and the 888 online casino brand has agreed a £243m takeover by the Greek casino and lottery operator Bally’s Intralot.Evoke had been locked in talks for the past two months with the Athens-listed Bally’s Intralot, which has extensive international operations, including in the US. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Football regulator will reject call to play bigger role in promoting equality at clubs
Kick It Out wants equality, diversity and inclusion targetsRegulator decides against after licensing consultationThe Independent Football Regulator (IFR) is poised to reject calls from Kick It Out to take on a greater role in promoting equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) throughout the sport.The IFR has decided, after a second round of consultation over its licensing terms, not to meet Kick It Out’s demands to set EDI targets for clubs and it will not compel them to submit annual reports on the demographic makeup of staff. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Steak or tofu: why can’t we stop eating so much meat?
Despite health risks and environmental damage, the meat industry is working hard to safeguard its dominanceAverage person eats six times more chicken than in 1961, UN report findsShould I tuck into a juicy steak or stick a tofu patty in a bun and call it a burger? Twenty years ago, that question was largely seen as a moral dilemma influenced by grim conditions in factory farms and slaughterhouses. Back then, animal rights activists were the loudest campaigners arguing for people to abstain from meat. They had limited success because vegetarians and vegans made up less than 5% of the population in rich countries – and the best fake meats were bland replicas of real flesh. The word flexitarian had not yet made it into the dictionary.The debate has shifted sharply. The pollution from animal agriculture, which makes up 12-20% of planet-heating gas, is now part of public discourse around eating meat. A dramatic rise in rates of obesity and diseases linked to red meat have made health concerns part of individual decisions to eat less of it. Meanwhile, some plant-based alternatives have improved in texture and taste to the point where even meat lovers struggle to tell that they did not come from an animal. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Average person eats six times more chicken than in 1961, UN report finds
UN report says global meat supply has risen fourfold in last 60 years and is expected to keep risingAnalysis: Ingredients in place for shift to plant-based diets but meat still dominatesThe average person eats about six times as much chicken and twice as much pork as their grandparents’ generation did, data from a UN report suggests, with global meat supply having risen fourfold in the last 60 years and expected to keep rising.The supply of poultry rose from below 3kg a person in 1961 to 17kg in 2022, according to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Pork supply doubled to 15kg a person over the same period, while beef, the most polluting food, stayed steady at 9kg. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
UK house prices fall for third successive month amid Iran war uncertainty
Unexpected monthly drop of 0.1% in May leaves price of typical home at £298,806, says lender HalifaxBusiness live – latest updatesUK house prices fell unexpectedly in May as rising mortgage rates fuelled by the war in Iran affected affordability and homebuyer demand.The average price of a typical UK home fell by 0.1% in May to £298,806, the third consecutive monthly drop recorded by the lender Halifax. Analysts had been expecting a return to growth, with a consensus of a 0.1% rise forecast for May. The monthly drop followed falls of 0.1% in April and 0.5% in March. Continue reading...
bbc.com
We need to stop AI developing without humans, says Anthropic co-founder
Jack Clark tells BBC's Newsnight AI could get to the point where it develops without human input.
theguardian.com
Horrific, unregulated, and very profitable. The companies making cash from England’s children in care | George Monbiot
Councils are sending vulnerable kids to homes run by money-grabbing cowboys and private-equity vulturesBring your suitcase, your bin liner, your dumpy bag. They’re handing out money faster than you can stuff it in a sack. All you need do is join the market in what may now be England’s most lucrative commodity. A commodity with arms and legs, hearts and brains, thoughts and feelings. Children.Two years ago I stumbled into this issue after discovering that children in care who were being helped by a local charity I’m involved with were suddenly being whisked away, terminating the amazing progress they had been making, breaking their relationships, their sense of home, stability and security. When I began exploring why this was happening, I could scarcely believe what I was seeing: a highly lucrative trade in highly vulnerable young people. Children in “care” were being exchanged between private equity companies for £100,000 apiece. That figure is now wrong. Today they are worth far more.George Monbiot is a Guardian columnistDo you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Gary Lineker’s Goalhanger named UK’s fastest-growing business
Producer of The Rest is … podcasts reports sales of £37.9m, boosted by rise in subscriptions and live eventsThe media production company co-founded by the former England footballer Gary Lineker and behind The Rest is … podcasts is now the fastest-growing business in Britain in a new ranking.Goalhanger made £37.9m in sales in 2025, growing at an average annual rate of 321% over the past three years, according to the latest Sunday Times list of the 100 quickest-growing private companies. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
New claimants seek to sue Elon Musk’s xAI after Labour MP’s test case
Jess Asato’s lawyer says others want to take action over demeaning sexualised material created by Grok AI toolNew claimants have come forward to take legal action against Elon Musk’s company xAI after the Labour MP Jess Asato launched a test case against the firm over demeaning sexualised material created by its Grok AI tool.A handful of complainants contacted Asato’s lawyer on Thursday in response to coverage of the MP’s decision to sue Musk’s company for damages over its creation and circulation of fake images of her in a bikini and an AI-created video that she said showed her “being chloroformed and prepared for a sexual assault”. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
An economic draft? Drive to get young Neets in the military divides opinion
Critics say high drop-out rate among under-18 army recruits make it a poor means of tackling youth unemploymentYoung people looking for employment should “really seriously take a look at the armed forces”, according to the veterans minister, Louise Sandher-Jones, and with more than 1 million 16 to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training (Neets), everyone that age is aware of how bleak the job market is at present. But not all agree about whether the military is the answer.Alexandra Williams is from rural Lincolnshire and studied law at a university in Manchester. She went in with the intention of becoming a lawyer, but early on was led to believe that would be impossible. “One of my lecturers was like: you’ve got no contacts, you’re not going to get anywhere,” she says. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Homes for sale with water views in England and Scotland – in pictures
From a London houseboat with views of the River Thames to a property by a loch in the Inner Hebrides Continue reading...
bbc.com
Grant puts gloss on paint recycling enterprise
A Cambridgeshire social enterprise is awarded £400,000 by the National Lottery to help it expand.
bbc.com
China cracks down on soft porn, violence and materialism in viral micro dramas
Micro dramas have surged in popularity, but drawn criticism for often sensationalist content.
bbc.com
Chippies turn to new species amid 'massive' cod price rise
Experts say cod has turned into "white gold" as the prices keeps going up.
theguardian.com
UK shoppers return to high street as warm weather brings respite from shadow of war
British Retail Consortium figures show footfall rose in May, with consumer confidence improving after spending squeezeGreater numbers of consumers went shopping last month as spring sunshine brought welcome relief to retailers, which have faced a squeeze on spending since the US-Israel war on Iran.Figures from the British Retail Consortium (BRC) and a separate survey by the accountancy firm BDO showed a bounce-back in footfall during May, reversing a sharp decline in April. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Andrew sublet three cottages while paying ‘peppercorn rent’ to crown estate
Report into royal property affairs reveals disgraced ex-prince generated private income from Windsor Royal LodgeAndrew Mountbatten-Windsor received private income from subletting three cottages on his Windsor Royal Lodge estate while paying a “peppercorn rent” to the crown estate, a report into royal property arrangements has revealed.The National Audit Office (NAO) review also shows that King Charles pays an “adjusted” rent from his private Duchy of Lancaster income, below open market value, for his disgraced brother’s non-working royal daughters, princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, to live in royal palaces. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Scramble for biofuel as oil prices rise ‘could push world closer to food crisis’
Experts say increased use of crops for fuel is ‘dangerous game’ that could send food price inflation soaringDemand for biofuels is likely to leap by nearly a third this year, which could send food price inflation soaring further and push the world closer to a global food crisis.More countries are opting to increase biofuel use as the price of oil has jumped to nearly $100 a barrel after the US-Israeli attacks on Iran and the closure of the strait of Hormuz. Continue reading...
bbc.com
British Heart Foundation plans to close 150 charity shops
The charity says it is facing "an exceptionally challenging trading environment".
theguardian.com
LA-area stadium workers to vote on strike a week before World Cup begins
Workers say they deserve a greater share of the windfall and want protection from ICE and invasive data collectionWorkers at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, are voting on whether to authorize a strike one week before World Cup soccer games are slated to begin in the Los Angeles area.Unite Here Local 11’s strike authorization vote comes as ongoing negotiations for a new contract with stadium operator Legends Global have stalled, with workers saying they deserve a greater share of the windfall from a packed schedule of coming mega-events that include the World Cup, the Super Bowl and the Olympics. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Trump announces $700m coal investment using wartime powers
The president is directing money into coal as the Iran war drives up energy costs for Americans.
bbc.com
The ancient trick making food waste useful and tasty
Instead of throwing away byproducts of food processing, fermentation is making them valuable.
bbc.com
Single 20-somethings need AI to make first move on dating apps - Hinge boss
Jackie Jantos says loneliness and lack of confidence were challenges for young adults looking for relationships.
bbc.com
Mark Zuckerberg's longest-serving employee on AI, jobs - and her boss
Naomi Gleit has weathered many controversies at Meta, but remains in what she tells the BBC is her "dream job".
bbc.com
'Apocalyptic' Tata Steel fire sees 'substantial' damage to production line
Residents are advised to keep windows and doors closed as crews battle the fire in Port Talbot.
theguardian.com
‘It is unsustainable’: Reform’s billionaire donors inspire panic in Westminster
While huge donations are nothing new in UK politics, some fear electoral finance is distorting democracy itselfKeir Starmer may be relaxed about allowing millions from cryptocurrency billionaires to flow into Reform UK’s coffers but Labour MPs are tearing their hair out every time the quarterly data on electoral finance drops.“I look at it through my fingers,” says one MP, as the latest figures show a further £7m went to Reform UK from just two men, Christopher Harborne and Ben Delo. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
SpaceX will get off the ground – but a descent from a silly valuation must follow | Nils Pratley
Investors will buy into the market-leading tech and cult of Musk despite a price that is defying gravity“Our mission,” says the opening sentence of SpaceX’s listing document with a straight face, “is to build the systems and technologies necessary to make life multi-planetary, to understand the true nature of the universe, and to extend the light of consciousness to the stars.”The last bit has an echo of the laughable WeWork, which was going to “elevate the world’s consciousness” via the medium of shared office spaces. But, yes, if SpaceX could tick off all the items on Elon Musk’s to-do list, one could make a case that the company should be valued at $1.77tn (£1.32tn). Continue reading...
bbc.com
Hinge boss on her green and red flags in life
Jackie Jantos, CEO of Hinge, shares her daily habits and tips for success in dating and in life.
theguardian.com
‘Good lord, what a smell’: can Brazil’s biggest city save a vital source of water from sewage, bacteria and organised crime?
As São Paulo faces a climate-induced water crisis, campaigners are fighting to reverse the impact of pollution and illegal deforestation on its largest reservoirIn a small motorboat laden with water-monitoring equipment, biologist Marta Marcondes and community activist Wesley Silvestre Rosa cross Billings reservoir on the far southern edge of São Paulo. Bright white herons glide over the water, which is flanked by thick dark green clusters of Brazil’s Atlantic forest, as the boat heads towards one of the more polluted parts of the reservoir.“We see where sewage is entering, we see what has been deforested and how that has affected the water quality of the reservoir,” Marcondes says. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘This is not a hippy thing’: the startup recycling urine to make natural fertiliser
As recent conflicts expose vulnerability of fertiliser markets and its effect on food security, VunaNexus offers an alternativeWhen staff answer the call of nature at the European Space Agency’s headquarters in Paris, their urine is not simply flushed away – it is turned into something much more useful. While urine-diverting toilets are often associated with smelly festival loos, there is nothing bohemian about recycling nutrients from human pee, said David de Chambrier, the chief executive of VunaNexus.The process isn’t so different from recovering minerals in used electronics. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Democratic-led states sue to block student loan caps by Trump administration
White House says caps will lower tuition costs, but critics say they will exacerbate the country’s nursing shortageSign up for the Breaking News US newsletter emailWhile the Trump administration has argued that new restrictions on the size of federal student loans will lower tuition costs, public health officials and Democrats say the measures will exacerbate the country’s serious nursing shortage.As such, a group of 24 Democratic-led states and the District of Columbia recently sued the federal government seeking to block the new rule, which is set to take effect on 1 July. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
How much should you pay for an ethically made T-shirt?
A higher price does not necessarily mean better fabric, fairer pay for workers or greater sustainability. To guarantee you’re buying ethically, experts say, you need to dig a little deeperDoes paying more for a T-shirt mean that it’s more likely to be ethically made?In short (sleeves): no. People who spend their time investigating fashion companies’ supply chains and employment practices seem united in the conclusion that money cannot necessarily buy us a clear conscience. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Why are US consumers so angry? It’s not just high prices
There’s a stew of factors at work behind the rise in consumer rage – but there are potential solutions, tooPeople in the US: tell us about your difficult consumer experiencesAmerican consumers are angry. Nearly 80% of Americans had a service or product problem in 2025, and about two-thirds of those felt “rage” about it, according to the “National Consumer Rage” survey.Many consumers feel they are constantly fighting against an onslaught of overcharges, customer service hassles, shoddy products and billing mistakes that always seem to go in the company’s favor. All of this comes against a background of soaring prices and rising inflation. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Why is ‘doomspending’ on the rise? | Sean Monahan
If everyone is spending like there won’t be a tomorrow, there probably won’t be a tomorrowPeople in the US: tell us about your difficult consumer experiencesDoom is the prefix du jour. Doomscrolling, doomposting, doomsplaining, doomspreading. Doom joins other recent suffixes -maxxing, -pilled, and -slop – giving discussions about contemporary life an overtly negative cast. Doomspending, in particular, is a new term for spending frivolously with no concern for future financial consequences. It has become synonymous with the declining fortunes of young westerners.A survey by Credit Karma, a consumer fintech company, published in the fall of 2024, introduced the concept and the general parameters around it. Chronically online youth had begun coping with anxiety about the economy and world events with retail therapy. They claim 27% of Americans doomspend to deal with stress. The numbers rise to 37% of gen Z and 39% of millennials. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
What would Jesus drink? Welcome to the age of Christian energy beverages
Drink brands such as Yahweh and Praise Energy say they’re raising awareness for Christianity – but are they just treating Jesus like an uncopyrighted Mickey Mouse?By now, you’ve probably noticed the trend: every celebrity and influencer appears to be chasing the same prize. We’re deep in the era of the celebrity beverage.Kim Kardashian has Update energy drinks. John and Hank Green have the Awesome Coffee Club. Blake Lively sells sparkling grapefruit juice. Even Danny DeVito, somehow perfectly cast for the role, is the face of a limoncello. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Who is Elon Musk and what is his net worth?
The boss of X, Tesla and SpaceX is the world's richest person and has used his platform to make his views known on a vast array of topics.
theguardian.com
Trump has made our K-shaped economy even worse | Steven Greenhouse
While wealthy Americans hail a booming stock market, the rest of us worry about rising inflation and people struggling to make ends meetPeople in the US: tell us about your difficult consumer experiencesIn case you’re not familiar with the concept of the K-shaped economy, it’s an important idea that captures a lot about Trump’s America. Wealthy Americans are represented by the line of the K that angles sharply upward to the right, while the line of the K that dips downward represents non-rich Americans and the difficulties they face.The economy’s K-shape has been growing worse in recent months, in large part because of Donald Trump’s policies. The wealthy people’s line is climbing further upward, while the line for the non-wealthy – the vast majority of Americans – has fallen further. Continue reading...
bbc.com
SpaceX says it's worth $1.75tn as it targets largest stock market debut
Elon Musk’s space exploration company set a target share price for buyers earlier than expected.
theguardian.com
‘Happiness is not just about GDP’: ambitious plan or utopia?
Some will question its credibility – but the alternative future to the one imagined in the Global Justice Report is far more bleak‘An equal and habitable world is possible’: academics set out sweeping vision for planetary survivalIn our increasingly dystopian world, who wouldn’t want to at least be open to a utopian antidote? The Global Justice Report, published on Thursday, outlines how to build a prosperous, equitable world within safe planetary boundaries. It’s a push from the modern eco-socialist left in a global battle for ideas that will shape the future.Based on past social achievements and future energy transformation, it indicates that the overwhelming majority of people on the planet could, by the end of the century, work less and earn more – while keeping temperatures down and avoiding much of the current destruction of nature. It is an ambitious, comprehensive and upbeat plan, and a stronger argument around which to build a political campaign than abstract goals of net zero or decarbonisation. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Witness History
How mass student demonstrations in May 1989 led to bloodshed in Beijing
bbc.com
'Library of Things' aims to help people save money
Volunteers in Leamington have launched a new type of library where you can borrow household items.
bbc.com
'I lost thousands in savings and my partner's money is in limbo'
The number of people withdrawing money from a LISA is outpacing the number using one to buy a home. Why?
theguardian.com
My year with the robots: how Joanna Stern let AI into her home, work – and heart
In 2025, the tech journalist invited artificial intelligence to do nearly everything for her, including editing the book she was writing about the experiment. Some of it was useful, some not – but it was her time with a chatbot companion that really shook herFor a year, Joanna Stern decided to turn herself into a “lab rat” – the object of her own experiment. Throughout 2025, she invited artificial intelligence into “every corner” of her life. She let AI answer her texts, decide what she ate and cooked, mow her lawn, fold her washing, drive her places, parse her mammograms and even, in the darkness of a burner phone, be her lover. The resulting book, I Am Not a Robot: My Year Using AI to Do (Almost) Everything, asks all the big questions, including: what happens when AI can do everything humans can do? And what comes after that?If anyone can produce answers, surely it’s Stern. Last February, she ended a 12-year stint as a personal technology columnist at the Wall Street Journal. During her tenure, she won an Emmy for her short documentary E-Ternal: A Tech Quest to “Live” Forever, which explored digital legacies, and built a reputation for product reviews that were outlandishly creative and fiendishly stringent. She once took an Apple watch jetskiing on the Hudson river to evaluate its connectivity. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Why is government spending £1.3bn on Universal UK?
The government is committing many millions of pounds to the new theme park planned for Bedfordshire.
bbc.com
Costly fuel pushes more Indians to buy electric cars but challenges remain
High fuel prices are strengthening the case for EV adoption in the world's third largest auto market.
bbc.com
'By the grace of God': Miners dig on as lab-grown diamonds change market
The rising popularity of lab-grown diamonds heaps pressure on those hunting for the natural gems.
theguardian.com
Lack of childcare support for parents in higher education | Letter
Roberta Leem-Bruggen says she was working full-time hours in NHS settings but was considered a ‘non-earner’ and therefore not eligible for childcare supportJamie Evans’ letter on childcare eligibility and the “nerd tax” (28 May) strongly resonated with me because I have experienced versions of this problem throughout higher education.In 2020, I was a single parent studying for a clinical master’s degree. I spent over 40 hours a week on compulsory NHS placements while completing academic work. During that time, I received universal credit, including the childcare element, which enabled me to continue my studies. Continue reading...
bbc.com
US announces new tariffs over forced labour concerns
It comes after the US Supreme Court struck down many of US President Donald Trump's previous duties in February.
bbc.com
Lloyds, Halifax and Bank of Scotland back after online banking outage
"We're aware some customers are having issues with our app and online banking. We're really sorry about this," Lloyds Bank posted on X.
theguardian.com
How to invest £50 a month: tips for people at different ages
Experts explain how small, regular sums can build wealth over time, from your 20s through to retirementThinking about investing? There are compelling reasons for moving at least some of your money away from standard savings accounts and into the stock market. There are also risks, but over the long term the rewards can be better.Many people are put off by the idea that you need to be wealthy to start investing, or over a certain age. But even if you can only afford to set aside £50 a month, it is worth considering. And while there are important factors to consider before you start, it is rarely too early, or too late, to take the first step. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Publishers in UK can opt out of Google AI search results
The Competition and Markets Authority says it would put publishers "in a stronger position to negotiate content deals with Google".
bbc.com
'Without free meal, it's a cup of soup for dinner'
Community cafe in Boston says numbers rose from about 60 to more than 90 at the start of the year.
theguardian.com
Nicola Sturgeon’s ex and his £400,000 shopping spree
Fast cars, luxury watches – and, of course, that motorhome: the list of what former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell bought with embezzled funds is dizzying. Severin Carrell reports.As chief executive of the SNP Peter Murrell was an extraordinarily influential politician. Along with former SNP leader Alex Salmond he helped turn the party into an election-winning machine. And he married the woman who would increase its popularity even further – Nicola Sturgeon. Then came the news he had admitted embezzling money from the party – and using it to buy everything from toilet rolls and instant coffee to a Jaguar.At the weekend Sturgeon felt compelled to break her silence and give an interview to the BBC, insisting she knew nothing about her now ex-husband’s crimes. The Guardian’s Scotland editor, Severin Carrell, explains how the case is still unfolding, with a court hearing this week and sentencing this month. He tells Annie Kelly what we have learned about Murrell’s behaviour. “It was almost as if you had a teenager funding their entertainment habits and a lavish lifestyle on somebody else’s credit card,” he says. Continue reading...
bbc.com
Three-quarters of workers not on track for 'moderate' pension income, report suggests
A newly-published report suggests a moderate lifestyle in retirement costs £32,700 for one person and £45,400 for two.
bbc.com
The 18 creatures in the running to be on the new banknotes
The Bank of England is asking the public which animals should appear on future banknotes.
bbc.com
Microsoft testing wearable AI gadget aimed at office workers
The company said its own workers are testing a "wearable access badge" and a desktop device.
bbc.com
Microsoft says new quantum chip 1,000 times more reliable than predecessor
The tech giant predicts it will have a quantum computer that can solve commercially useful problems by the end of the decade.
bbc.com
Water firm fined £1.8m over parasite outbreak
Four people were hospitalised and there were more than 140 cases of sickness and diarrhoea in Devon.
bbc.com
King told me Post Office scandal was 'dreadful', says oldest victim
Betty Brown says she is accepting the honour on behalf of all the victims of the scandal.
bbc.com
Third of people say uni degree not worth it, as student loan inquiry begins
MPs will hear the concerns of graduates about the size of their student debts, and the interest rates.
bbc.com
Instagram AI chatbot tricked by hackers to give access to others' accounts
Some reports have linked the incident to recent cases of high-profile Instagram accounts being hijacked.
bbc.com
How 'confused' AI rollout hurts firms and baffles staff
Some firms are putting pressure on staff to use AI, but have not thought through their AI rollout.
theguardian.com
Trump insists Iran deal close despite strikes – The Latest
As Israel threatens to bomb Beirut and the US and Iran trade missile strikes, Donald Trump insists it will ‘all work out well in the end’ and urges his critics to ‘sit back and relax’. So are we any closer to a deal? Lucy Hough speaks to diplomatic editor Patrick Wintour – watch on YouTube Continue reading...
theguardian.com
French navy boards Russia-linked oil tanker in Atlantic – video
France has released footage that appears to show French naval commandos boarding a ship suspected of being part of Russia's 'shadow fleet' and subject to international sanctions. The French president, Emmanuel Macron, said the operation took place on the tanker, named the Tagor, with support of the UK and in strict compliance with the law of the sea. The French navy confirmed the interception occurred on SundayMacron says French navy has boarded Russia-linked oil tanker in Atlantic Continue reading...
bbc.com
Caribbean hot sauce producers warn of shortages and higher prices
Manufacturers in Jamaica say the key chilli peppers they need are in limited supply.
bbc.com
Humanoid robots 'the future' of car making, says BMW
BMW is introducing humanoid robots to a car plant in Europe, building on similar projects in the US.
bbc.com
The £5 coffee that tells a story of global economic turmoil
Coffees at some city centre outlets now cost £5. It's a story of tariffs, the climate, Gen Z cultural tastes, and savvy coffee farmers playing the market, writes Faisal Islam
bbc.com
Is 'out of control' US tipping culture spreading overseas?
With US waiting staff getting cross at receiving less than 20%, tips are also on the rise elsewhere.
bbc.com
How a rise in energy bills will affect you from July
Household energy prices will rise by 13% a year in July, as soaring wholesale costs caused by the US-Israel war with Iran hit bills for the first time.
bbc.com
Why it's now harder to get a Saturday job
The boss of Next has warned there has been a "dramatic fall" in the number of entry-level job opportunities in the UK.
bbc.com
The rise of the fruit that tastes like custard
Custard apple plants are prized for their hardiness but exporting their delicate fruit is difficult.
bbc.com
Morocco wants tourists to visit Western Sahara. Some say it's tightening its control
The Moroccan government wants more Western holidaymakers to visit the territory it claims to own.
bbc.com
'Six eggs used to be £1' - why everyday essentials cost so much more now
Six supermarket brand eggs cost £1 in 2022. How much are they now, why have they gone up, and is anyone profiteering?
bbc.com
Love factually: Dating start-ups promise to cut the cheats
Frustration with fake dating profiles has spurred new dating services with different approaches.
bbc.com
The fight against foreign developers buying Caribbean beaches
Campaigners in Barbuda, Grenada and Jamaica say they can no longer access their coastlines.
bbc.com
Robo-top: The machines that could make your next t-shirt
Most clothes are made in Asia, but new machines could bring some of that work back to the West.
bbc.com
Why does Amazon have no Western rivals?
The internet giant dwarfs other online retailers on both sides of the Atlantic.
bbc.com
Rise in solar panel sales as people 'want to save money'
One director, who has just bought 2,000 panels, hopes to safeguard the company's future bills.
bbc.com
Inside the secretive and lucrative world of orchid breeding
It can take a decade to bring a new orchid to market, so breeders keep their hi-tech processes secret.
bbc.com
Smart glasses are 'an invasion of privacy' - Meta's are selling better than ever
The biggest tech firms are set to sell millions of smart glasses despite growing privacy concerns.
bbc.com
The threat to summer holidays looming from jet fuel shortages
What impact might shortages have on our summer holidays - and what could be done about it?
bbc.com
Scammers are becoming ever more sophisticated - this is what the fightback looks like
Scams have exploded over the last few years. Can countries and companies come together to turn the tables on the scammers?
bbc.com
The £5.30 orange juice that tells the story of why supermarket prices are sky high
Butter, chocolate, coffee and milk have all seen prices rocket. Tracing back through the story of one particular supermarket staple begins to explain why
bbc.com
Prepare for turbulence - how a prolonged Middle East conflict could reshape how we fly
The Gulf's hub airports made long-distance travel cheaper - but now their future looks unclear.
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